The day book. (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, February 19, 1912, Image 14

Image and text provided by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library, Urbana, IL

smBmmmsmmmm&WMILLION MINERS TO QUIT WORK FEB. 27 IF WAGEINCREASE IS REFUSED; POOR FACE COAL FAMINELondon, Feb. 19. The greatstrike of all coal mine workersthroughout the United Kingdom,throwing out of work more thana million mine workers is due tocommence Feb. 29. That was assured after the poll of all of thefederation miners, some 600,000men, who voted three-to-one towalk out.The Newcastle exchange statesthat there is little or no coal tobe had now, for everyone withcommand of coal is holding forfancy figures. Th,e prices havealready advanced so high thatthe poor have to sit in firelesshouses.The conciliation board has sofar failed to affect a settlementThe men want the minimumwage plan of payment. In Staffordshire, the men demand thatthey get at least 7 shillings($1.68) a day. - In South Walesthe desired minimum wage is 8shillings.Of the million workers, 80 percent work underground. Thedeath by accident rate has risenfroni 1.29 per 1,000 in 1900 to 1.43in 1909.The masters are willing togrant the minimum rate to workers in abnormal places, wheYedeath or a crippled life is moreapt to be the miners' reward."We look like being in for oneof the biggest struggles everknown," said James Haslam, amember of parliament, and chiefofficial for the Derbyshire miners.."If there is to be a strike, themillion miners will be followedby another million of other industries and there will be civilwar in no time. Nothing like itsince the 'seventies will have beenseen," he added."The proposed system of payment of a fixed minimum rate ofwage to each person working inthe mnes, rrespectve of theamount of work performed s onewhich is quite impracticable andcannot be conceded," said DavidA. Thomas, managing director ofthe Cambrian collieries combine,and head of the "masters' organization." 'CAN YOUJDO IT?Continuous Triangles.Can you make the above figurewithout taking pencil fromi i, i i ipaper. It's easy when you knowhow. Start at the black dot.You can cross other lines as oftenas you like, but vou must not iroover any line twice.